Several people who were abducted on different days have been released, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has said.
LSK president Faith Odhiambo said Ernest Nyerere, Nadia Nthia and Shadrack Kiprono aka Shad were among those released.
The Police Reforms Working Group Kenya (PRWG-K) has unequivocally condemned the recent wave of abductions of citizens suspected of involvement in protests against the Finance Bill, 2024.
It said the abductions of at least 12 people, which have occurred over the last five days are a gross violation of human rights and amount to arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearance as prohibited under Article 29 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.
“Enforced disappearance, as defined by Article 29 of the Constitution, involves the arrest, detention, or abduction of an individual by state agents or persons acting with state authorization, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the person’s fate or whereabouts,” PRWG-K said.
It said the actions undermine the rule of law and instil fear and uncertainty among the populace.
“We urge the government to immediately cease these unlawful practices and release all individuals who have been arbitrarily detained,” PRWG-K said in a statement.
“We strongly call on President William Ruto to uphold the oath he took during his swearing-in ceremony.”
